Hartlepool see NL season cancelled & remaining fixtures scrapped
Hartlepool United’s remaining fixtures of the 2019/20 campaign have now been CANCELLED – after the National league revealed that their resolution to end the playing season had been passed.
The league asked clubs in the National League, and representatives from the National League North and National League South, to vote on whether the current season should be scrapped after the outbreak of COVID-19 saw all fixtures suspended.
And they have now confirmed that a ‘clear majority’ of clubs have voted to cancel the season immediately – meaning no more fixtures will be played this season.
Hartlepool United saw their fixtures cancelled from March 16 onwards, but now face several more months without football as uncertainty reigns.
A statement from the league read: “National League Clubs were asked to support an ordinary resolution on 9 April to end the Playing Season for all fixtures scheduled up to and including 25 April, 2020
“With almost 90% of responses returned it is evident a clear majority of Clubs are in favour, including a majority of Clubs in each of the National
League, National League North and National League South divisions.
“In the knowledge that the ordinary resolution has passed, the League’s Board has chosen to communicate the decision now and before the last few responses are received, which will not change the outcome, to enable Clubs to make business decisions with greater clarity as soon as possible.
“Clubs yet to respond still have an opportunity to do so, and the League wishes to include as many preferences as possible before the final voting result is declared.”
What comes next remains unclear.
A further vote is to be held as to how to determine the outcome of the National League’s three divisions, with options such as deciding on a points per game basis put forward. There is also the chance that the campaign could be declared null and void.
It also remains uncertain when the 2020/21 season will finish.
The National League statement added: “The options concerning the sporting outcomes of the 2019/20 season remain under careful and timely consideration, and further updates will be given in due course.”